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Excepting fans of Russian literature, few Americans know much about Odessa. The same cannot be said inside the Ukraine or the former Soviet Union, however, where Odessa remains a tourist destination for those seeking to enjoy some sun by the Black Sea. That makes Odessa a prime spot for Americans seeking a European beach getaway, Slavic-style.

Getting There

Odessa sits on the northwestern shores of the Black Sea, roughly 300 miles southwest of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. Lonely Planet described Odessa International Airport (ODS) as "better linked to Europe than any other Ukrainian airport besides [Kiev's]." Sea ferries tie the city to Istanbul and river cruises link it to the Crimea. Trains connect Odessa to major cities such as Kiev, Moscow and Lvov, and buses run to other major regional cities such as Kiev, Yalta and Donetsk.

Historic Attractions

Odessa was the fourth city of Tsarist Russia, after St. Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw, so its old city center reflects Odessa's role as a 19th-century center of art and culture. Many older buildings have fallen into disrepair, but the area around the opera house remains well-maintained, and strolls along the colorful promenades of Deribasovskaya and Primorskiy streets are a must. The opera house area is also where the city's literature, maritime and archaeology museums appear. A historic attraction of a different sort are the city's old limestone mines, now a network of catacombs under the city.

The Beaches

Though Odessa slid from prominence as a cosmopolitan center during Soviet times, it remained an important seaside resort. With the major exception of the port area, virtually the entire Odessa waterfront consists of beaches. Lanzheron is closest to the city center, but the more popular beaches are farther away. Roughly 20 minutes from the downtown area by bus or tram, Arcadia Beach is a major restaurant, bar and disco area. Farther south is Malibu, the cleanest of Odessa's beaches.

Crime

The US State Department considers Ukraine a generally safe country to visit, but warns that street crime is a widespread problem. These crimes are usually non-violent, but are a particular problem for travelers as "foreign visitors may be perceived as wealthy and as easy targets for criminals." In addition, the State Department warns that "Ukrainian law enforcement provides no adequate level of deterrence to street crime," so visitors should take extra care with their belongings while in Odessa.

Climate

Odessa sees mild summers and cold winters. Average temperatures reach their peak in July, and even then the heat stays in the lower 80s Fahrenheit. May through September sees average temperatures in the 60s and 70s, while June through September sees only five or six days of rain per month, making for clear skies and moderate weather. Spring and autumn are colder and rainier, however, and temperatures in winter typically hover at or just below freezing.